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By Shari Narine
Windspeaker Contributor
EDMONTON
Lack of federal funding and corporate support has forced the budget of the upcoming National Gathering of Elders to be slashed by one-quarter.
It’s disappointing, admits Ann Gladue-Buffalo, spokesperson for the historical event which will see First Nations, Métis and Inuit Elders gather in Edmonton from Sept. 11 to Sept. 14.
“It says to me that the government of Canada needs themselves to put actions behind their words if reconciliation is a priority,” she said.
“The federal government can recognize this as an opportunity for (Elders) to have their voices heard and an opportunity for them to support that.”
Organizers for what was supposed to be a $2-million event had submitted a proposal asking for $700,000 from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. They received $150,000.
Gladue-Buffalo recognizes that corporations, especially in Alberta, are suffering in these hard economic times, but says efforts to engage them in a variety of other ways – donations for SWAG bags or food, sponsorships, and fundraising through a golf tournament and networking gala – have been unsuccessful.
The event is still looking for a “significant” amount of donations.
“We’re really trying to impress on corporate Canada the importance of being there and supporting it, putting their words to action,” she said.
When announcing the event last April, Tallcree First Nation Chief Rupert Meneen said the gathering was both an opportunity to celebrate Elders and a pledge to make the next 150 years better for Indigenous people.
“As Canada takes the time to celebrate 150 years we call upon all Canadians to recognize not only the invaluable contributions of the Indigenous peoples, but the tremendous toll colonization has taken on the Aboriginal people. Reconciliation that honours our Elders must include acknowledgement about the true history and commitment to move forward together in a partnership that is both respectful and meaningful. Let’s make the next 150 years something to celebrate,” said Meneen.
Tallcree First Nation is host of the national gathering.
In a time when the country is celebrating 150 years and making efforts toward reconciliation, full funding would have been a solid step, said Gladue-Buffalo, especially considering Elders will hold discussions on such topics as missing and murdered Indigenous women, climate change, and the revitalization of culture and language revitalization and Indigenous health. These will be recorded and shared with the government, treaty organizations and First Nations.
As Meneen said, over the years he has called on the wisdom of the Elders to guide his decisions. This gathering is an opportunity for the federal government to do just that.
And that is exactly how Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan sees it.
“We need to acknowledge that the Elders have so much to teach us and if we don’t start understanding their role in terms of providing the stability and the ability to face the future that is provided by Elders, then we’re going to be lost and languages will be lost and we don’t want either of those things to happen,” said Feehan.
The Alberta government has provided $200,000 toward the event.
Many regions and communities have been fundraising to pay for the costs for their Elders to attend. At this point there are about 1,600 Elders pre-registered. The goal is to host 4,000. Gladue-Buffalo expects a large number of registration to come through at the event and is hopeful to have 2,000 Elders attend. She says the energy leading up to the gathering has been “tremendous.”
The national gathering is an opportunity for Elders to share with each other and learn from each other’s cultures.
“It’s also an opportunity (for First Nations to be) meeting and reconciling with Métis and Inuit because we’ve been apart for so long. Maybe it’s time we started reconciling with each other,” she said.
It’s also an opportunity for youth to give back by caring for their Elders and engaging with them. The University of Alberta will be bringing a number of their post-secondary students in the health field.
“We put a lot of words into saying that our Elders are important to us. This is another way of lifting them up and supporting them because they’re going to have needs that need to be attended to while they’re there. Youth that are volunteering, this can help them put words to actions,” said Gladue-Buffalo.
The event, which takes place at the Edmonton Expo Centre, will be rich with cultural activities, including an art exhibit curated by Edmonton’s artist-in-residence Dawn Marie Marchand, artisans and vendors, tipi village, Métis trapper’s hut with artifacts, and holistic health initiatives.
Events and sessions during the four days are open to the public at a minimal daily charge. It’s an opportunity for everybody to learn and celebrate, said Gladue-Buffalo.
But more than that, she added, “(The Elders) will truly feel honoured and cared for. That’s what we’re aiming for.”
Gladue-Buffalo said the aim is to hold a National Gathering for Elders every two years.
Feehan is proud that the first gathering is being held in Alberta.
“We’re a province that absolutely has an incredible First Nations people and resources and we’re going to be leaders in making sure that those cultures thrive in the future, that we honour the responsibility that we have, and that we celebrate the successes that are so evident,” he said.